by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2023 | Happiness and Joy, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Purity, Vayeira
The Torah portion of Vayeira continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors as he recuperates. They bring him news. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 24, 2023 | Light Unto the Nations, Psalms
Rabbi Haim Yosef David Azulai ben Yitzhak Zerachia (Jerusalem 18th Century), commonly known as the Hida, taught that the eight verses of Psalm 67 were inscribed on the golden Menorah (candelabra) that stood outside the Holy of Holies in the Temple. The first verse was...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 19, 2023 | Messiah, Psalms
I love reading fiction, especially science fiction, so sometimes my imagination runs far afield. Especially during my Shabbat afternoon nap. Last Shabbat, I was lying on the sofa, unable to move after indulging way too much in Shabbat lunch. I began to drift off to...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 17, 2023 | Psalms, Temple
David’s love for God fills every word of Psalms. More than anything else in life, David yearned for God; to serve him and to come close to him. David’s love for God culminated in the Temple. Though he did merit to build the Temple, that task was left for his son...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 2, 2023 | Marriage and Relationships, Song of Songs
By Yehoshua Rose A brief read of Song of Songs can raise the eyebrows of even the most open-minded adherents to religion. “What is such an explicit and graphic piece of literature doing in my Bible?” Some of the more surprising quotes include, “Scarcely had I passed...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 2, 2023 | Gratitude, Passover
Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two positions you can take. Either you believe that nothing in life is a miracle, or you believe that everything in life is a miracle.” One of the favorite songs sung at the Passover seder is the song called “Dayeinu,” which...
